Safety shield

ABSTRACT

Injury to passengers in vehicles from either collision with hard surfaces and/or quick whiplash movement of the body is prevented by a safety shield comprising a yieldable, flexible transparent material removably mounted along at least two opposite edges and held taut to provide a shock-absorbing barrier between the person to be protected and the direction of movement of his person particularly in times where the movement is due to outside forces overpowering the persons ability to resist them e.g., during vehicle collisions.

1 Feb. 22, 1972 3,172,702 3/1965 3,366,977 2/1968 Koehler 3,443,8245/1969 Dietrich..........................

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 962,946 7/1964 GreatBritain.....................

Primary ExaminerBenjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-John A. Pekar 2 0 3 94 K Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson .Br 21/02 .280/ B,150; 296/84 K, 65.1; ABSTRACT 244/122.2; /392, 327; 297/216 Michael 1.Caiati, Evanston; William L. Lehle, Wilmette, both of 111.

H.M.K., Inc.

Jan. 26, 1968 211 App1.No.: 700,855

United States Patent Caiati et a1.

[54] SAFETY SHIELD [72] Inventors:

[73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

51 [58] FieldofSearch............

of movement of his person particularly in times where the movement isdue to outside forces overpowering the persons ability to resist theme.g., during vehicle collisions.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures mmw n immmm cm m m C C OMDMM dkbo n m bw.m.my.mt m l Mb k ee mmmmem m mrm mtwm m m g .mmgedfl en m m u m 0 m mm momm wh m p a l C.l V .l mw mn h i o w m m k e 6 e .m CWJm O. muk de ww maaSm wymfie am tdw P dm m OS e m wmfl W8 W S 0 1 .wa w m Wm mwPtob W m mM 6 e A m w m d D L R m 5 1 O0 2 4 5 m U 2 SAFETY SHIELD BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generallyto vehicle safety devices and particularly to removable transparentsafety shields which may be positioned in the vehicle to prevent injuryto passengers in accidents.

2. Prior Art Passenger safety in vehicles of all kinds is rapidlybecoming recognized as an important area for new and improved designs.Recent past and proposed state and federal laws requiring for examplecollapsible steering wheel columns, padded dashes and visors, breakawaymirrors and protusions, high back seats and seat belts of the lap andshoulder strap type indicate the directions that these developments aretaking. With all these developments however there is much room forimprovement. Thus while the collapsible steering wheel and column mightprotect the driver from flying forward on impact there is nothingsimilar to safeguard other front seat passengers. The padded dash ishelpful, but it is the passengers head striking the front windshieldwhich is the high cause of injuries. Lapand shoulder-type safety belts,even when the passenger remembers to secure them, are uncomfortable,restrict freedom of movement and may actually increase injuries byhampering the exiting of occupants from the wrecked vehicle. High backseats which extend upwardly behind the average users head to prevent theall too common whiplash injury not only restrict vision from front torear and rear to front but also tend to create a psychological closed infeeling on the part of the passengers. Moreover, with the low silhouetteroof line the provision of the high back seats on the rear seats tendsto drastically limit the drivers rearview vision. Applicants inventionas will be hereinafter described provides what is considered to beprotection equal to the above examples with none oftheir disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly summarized, the invention comprises aremovable, flexible and yieldable transparent safety shield which isconveniently positioned in front of and behind each occupant in avehicle. The shield material is held taut between connectors on at leasttwo opposite edges. Basically, this positioning of the safety shield isshock absorbing to prevent the occupants from hitting forward parts ofthe vehicle and each other on front end collisions. On rear endcollisions whiplash of all occupants is greatly reduced if notoutrightly prevented by the rearward cushioning of the flexibleyieldable material. At the same time each occupant has the freedom ofmovement which promotes relaxed, tireless travel and which may furtherallow quick movement of the passengers to prevent an accident. Moreover,visibility of the passenger is not at all hampered so that in anautomobile for instance, the driver may have the advantage of the extraeyes in the back seat, unobstructed by a high back seat, to possiblyhelp him spot accident causing conditions in time to avert them.Psychologically, the spaciousness of the vehicle is not impaired by thetransparent material which is substantially invisible to the occupants.Division of the vehicle into somewhat separated areas also has manyadvantages which will become apparent in the further discussion of theinvention.

Attachment of the removable shields in the vehicle may be by anysuitable means for carrying our this invention that will allowconvenience of installation and removability, while at the same timeproviding a secure connection. Thus, for example, we have found aconnector comprising three parallel bars having the shield materialwrapped therearound to be very satisfactory in accommodating indefinitelengths of the shield material. Where the shield material predimensionedwith a loop at the edges, other means such as a single rod passingthrough the loop may be used. Further, if the material has straightedges they may be received in a slotted rod and the material wrappedthereby to effect connections. Different types of either of theseconnections may be used at either end of the shield. The material shouldbe held along at least two opposite edges but it may be held on three ormore and even completely framed.

This invention is not limited to the type of vehicle and in fact veryadvantageously used in air, rail, land and water craft where only one ora great number of passengers are conveyed. The possiblecompartmentalization of large passenger areas into what effectively isan individual padded or soft surfaced compartment or defined area iswithin the scope of this invention. Thus the transparent flexible andyieldable material may be only one side of the passenger or it may be ontwo, three or more sides to the point where the occupant is completelysurrounded by this impact absorbing material. It is obvious thatin thelatter case the passenger will be protected from being thrown by a joltfrom any side. The governing prin'- ciple of placement therefore will bethat the shield will be positioned wherever it may be expected tosafeguard the vehicle passengers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment ofthe invention positioned in an automobile and is seen in perspectivethrough the vehicle body.

FIG. 2 shows the invention as it might be seen by a rear seat passengerlooking up in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along line IIIIII in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the connector means as seen in a viewsimilar to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the connector means also as wouldbe seen in a view similar to FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a spring biased connector element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment ofthis invention as it might be placed in a typical motor vehiclegenerally indicated at 10. Passengers A and B are shown seated on frontseat II in typical riding positions. Directly in front of passenger Bsafety shield 30 extends from an upper edgewise connection 30a on theinterior of roof 15 to a lower connection 30b on the dashboard 16. Inthis position shield 30 will be held taut between the upper and lowerconnections to absorb the momentum of the upper portion of the body ofpassenger B during a front end impact of the vehicle 10 and prevent Bfrom striking the hard surface windshield l7 and C from striking A or B.

Safety shields 31, 32 and 33 are located behind passengers A and B andas shown extend from upper connections 3l a, 32a, 33a respectively onthe interior of roof 15 to lower connections 31b, 32b and 33b on frontseat 11. It may be seen from the relationship of the upper portions ofthe bodies of passengers A and B, particularly their heads, to thesafety shields 31, 32 and 33 that in the event of the application of aforce from the rear, the rearward movement of As and B's head will berestricted so that what is termed a whiplash injury will be prevented.As shown, both safety shields 30 and 32 will accommodate an additionalpassenger seated front and center. The particular positioning of thesafety shields of course will depend on the size and type of vehicle.

Passenger C shown centrally positioned on rear seat 12 is protected frombeing thrown forward by safety shields 31, 32 and 33. Likewise rearwardmotion of the head, neck, and upper torso is prevented by safety shields34, 35 and 36 extending from connections on the interior roof 15 toconnections on seat 12. It may be thus seen how the safety shieldsfunction to protect the vehicle passenger by insulating the passengersfrom contact with hard objects and from each other during periods whenthe forces acting upon the passenger overpowers their free will andability to resist.

Although any flexible, yieldable transparent material suitable forabsorbing the impact of the passengers and articles may be used, we havefound that Du Pont Mylar ofa type S or D" in thicknesses of 3-10 millshas proven satisfactory in being substantially invisible and of hightensile strength over a temperature range of from 65 to +300 F. Itsexcellent properties, too numerous to mention here, ready availabilityfrom the manufacturer, low cost and adaptability make this productparticularly suited to our invention. It is to be understood however,that other products possessing the properties herein set out may also beused in practicing our invention.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, we have shown one means of connecting the safetyshield material to its supports. Although the connection shown is to atypical vehicle roof interior, this joint may also be used forattachment of the safety shield material to the seats, dashboard orother lower supports. Basically, the connector of FIGS. 2 and 3comprises spaced brackets 41 and 45 supporting rods 51, 52 and 53 attheir ends. Thus rod 51 has one end in hole 42 of bracket 41 and itsopposite end in a similar hole of bracket 45. Likewise, rod 53 has oneend in hole 44 and its other end in a similar hold in bracket 45. Rods51 and 53 may be of a fixed length and ordinarily will be placed inposition when the brackets 41, 45 are initially mounted. By contrast,rod 52 as is shown in FIG. 6 may have an extensible portion 52a mountedon its hollow end. This hollow end has an axially extending slot 52btherein with an outwardly projecting protrusion 526 of extension 52aprojecting therethrough so that extension 52a may be moved inwardlyagainst the bias of spring 52d for removal of the rod 52 from the holesin brackets 41 and 45. It may thus be seen that the safety shieldmaterial 33 may be positioned and placed as shown in FIG. 3 by slidingit over rods 53, 51, looping it therebetween, extending rod 52 into thisloop and engaging the ends of rod 52 into hole 43 on bracket 41 and acorresponding hold in bracket 45. With the rods 51, 52 and 53 properlyspaced from each other a secure joint is formed for the safety shieldmaterial. It is to be understood that connectors of this type may beused to mount shields 3036 at both their upper and lower edges. Brackets41 and 45 may be mounted by any suitable means, however, we have foundthat by providing a flange portion 41a and 45a having suitable fasteners41!; and 45b extending through the interior covering 15a into thevehicle body ribbing 18, 19 to be a quick and con- .venient means ofattachment. One or more flanges may be provided for each bracket andthey may be any configuration, in any alignment, and with provision forany number of fasteners suitable for carrying out our invention in anytype or size of vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the adjacent bracket 4-6 orthe adjacent safety shield 32 may be spaced from the bracket 45 toprovide a space between shield 32 and 33. It is emphasized however, thatin lieu of of shields 31, 32 and 33 a single shield or any number ofindividual shields may be provided. Similar comments apply to shields34, 35 and 36 and shield 30. Moreover the shields may be abutting, overlapped, or spaced and parallel. It is the object of our invention toplace safety shields in such a relation to vehicle passengers so as toprevent their injury from outside forces acting against their bodies,and therefore the particular placement arrangement, alignment or meansused to place them in position to practice our invention arecontemplated within the scope of this invention. Thus, for example, inthe motor vehicle as illustrated in FIG. 1 the upper edge of shield 30for instance could have a looped portion through which a rod 54 similarto those used in mounting interior sun visors could be mounted so thatthe connection might appear as shown for example in FIG. 4-. The ends ofrod 54 would be suitably mounted in brackets 47. The joint 37 as shownin FIG. 4 must be at least as strong as the material and is preferablyof an ultrasonic seal, adhesive joint, stapled joint, or high qualitysewn joint. FIG. illustrates yet another possible safety shieldconnection to its support. Here the rod 55 is slotted and a free edge ofthe shield is inserted in the slot and wrapped around the rod until asecure connection is obtained. Rod 55 may be mounted at each end inbrackets such as 48 which prevent the rod from rotating about its axis.

At its lower end safety shield 30 may be mounted above the glovecompartment door usually found in motor vehicles of this type. The lowerconnection may possibly be recessed or otherwise treated to carry outthe overall safety concept of this invention. Similarly shields 3136 maybe mounted at their upper and lower edges through any means, especiallythose of FIGS. 2-5. It must be noted however, that the attachment of thelower shields31, 32and 33 for example may also be to the floor of thevehicle or to a lower portion of the seat with the material extendingdown to the floor in front or back ofthe front seat.

Thus seats 11 and 12 usually face in the same direction and have frontand rearedge portions. Shield 30 will normally be positioned forward ofthe front edge portion of seat 11 and shields 31, 32, 33 or theirequivalents will usually be positioned forward of rear seat 12. Theexact distances, inclinations, material quantity and quality are mattersof design depending on the size, type and expected safety conditions ofthe vehicle. In these positions the shields must be able to protect thepassenger normally seated in the vehicle from being propelled forwardlyagainst his resistance into a hard surface or object in the vehicle. Inthe case of shields 31-33 and 3436 or their equivalents their purpose isto prevent large movements of the upper torso due to sudden impactforces from the rear. These shields therefore will be positioned muchcloser to the rear of the passengers heads. The exact positioning,inclination etc., again are matters of design which will vary inconsideration of vehicle size, type, individual preferences and safetyconsiderations. It is not necessary that the safety shields be madeentirely of one material. For example, the lower portion of shields 31to 36 may be made of a fabric, padded or other material for increasedcomfort to the passenger. Also the lower portion may be straps orwebbing. If the shield extends down in front of the seat i.e., directlybehind the passenger body, it may be vented or spaced from the seat toallow circulation of air behind the passengers back. If the safetyshields 31, 32 and 33 for example extend behind the seat i.e., ofaportion of seat 1] remote from the bodies of passengers A and B, it mayhave suitable convenience features attached thereto such as litterpockets, soft tissues receptacles and other items which are notcontradictory to the safety conceptof this invention.

In other respects the shields may be modified or adapted to suit theparticular environment and accommodations in which it is placed. Thus itmay be decorated, have its edges such as its outside edges of shields 31and 33 reinforced against wear, wind, etc., indicia may be placedthereon to guide the user in his operation of the vehicle or foradvertising and display purposes. Holes may be placed to allow aircirculation or the material may be meshlike. If the shields are mountedin frames it is contemplated by this invention that they may be mountedin channels along two opposite edges that allow them to be recessed intothe back of the seats with the seats securely locked and mounted againstmovement on the vehicle body. This is particularly adaptable to seatswhich rotate.

Here it may be noted that the shields 34, 35 and 36 prevent objects onthe rear ledge 20 from flying forward to cause injury. It is paramounthowever, that these shields be placed and installed so they are tautflexible and of sufficient tensile strength to absorb the impact of thepassengers body or other articles to prevent injury thereto.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims aretherefore intended to be embraced therein.

We claim as our invention:

1. A vehicle safety device for preventing the injury of a passenger dueeither to collision with a hard object on or in the vehicle and/or quickwhiplash movement comprising: a vehicle, a defined area in said vehicleadapted to be occupied by persons or objects, a potential injuryproducing means adjacent said area, a first flexible, yieldabletransparent shield means mounted between said area and said injuryproducing means thereby serving as a shock absorbing barrier to preventinjury to said persons or objects if said persons or objects should beprojected by an external force toward said injury producing means, saiddefined area containing at least two spaced first and second seats eachfacing in a first direction, each of said seats having a front and rearedge portion, said first shield means being positioned adjacent saidfront edge portion of said first seat, a second shield means beingpositioned near said rear edge portion of said first seat and adjacentsaid front edge portion of said second seat, a third shield means beingpositioned near said rear edge portion of said second seat, said secondand third shield means thereby preventing whiplash producing movement ofpersons seated in said first and second seats.

2. The vehicle safety device according to claim 1 wherein said secondand third shield means comprises: a plurality of separated flexible,yieldable, transparent elements.

3. The vehicle safety device according to claim 1 wherein said first,second and third shield means have respective upper and lower edges,said first, second and third shield means are held taut by connectionsalong their respective upper and lower edges, said connections being tothe vehicle.

4. The vehicle safety device according to claim 1 wherein said safetydevice shields are made of flexible, yieldable transparent material.

5. The vehicle safety device according to claim 1 wherein mounting meansare provided on at least two opposite edges of at least one of saidshields whereby they are held in taut shock absorbing position.

6. The vehicle safety device according to claim 5 wherein at least oneof said mounting means comprises: a pair of spaced brackets connected tosaid vehicle, first and third rods having their opposite ends mounted insaid brackets, a removable second rod positioned between said first andthird rods, said shield having a portion weaving around and between saidfirst, second and third rods to provide a secure connection.

7. The vehicle safety device according to claim 5 wherein at least oneof said mounting means comprises: a pair of spaced brackets connected tosaid vehicle, a single rod extending between said brackets, said shieldhaving a looped portion along said edge adjacent said mounting means andsaid rod passing through said looped portion to form a secureconnection.

8. The vehicle safety device according to claim 5 wherein at least oneof said mounting means comprises: a pair of spaced brackets connected tosaid vehicle, a slotted rod extending between said brackets and mountedagainst rotary movement, said shield having a free edge extending intosaid slot so that said shield is securely mounted to absorb impact.

1. A vehicle safety device for preventing the injury of a passenger dueeither to collision with a hard object on or in the vehicle and/or quickwhiplash movement comprising: a vehicle, a defined area in said vehicleadapted to be occupied by persons or objects, a potential injuryproducing means adjacent said area, a first flexible, yieldabletransparent shield means mounted between said area and said injuryproducing means thereby serving as a shock absorbing barrier to preventinjury to said persons or objects if said persons or objects should beprojected by an external force toward said injury producing means, saiddefined area containing at least two spaced first and second seats eachfacing in a first direction, each of said seats having a front and rearedge portion, said first shield means being positioned adjacent saidfront edge portion of said first seat, a second shield means beingpositioned near said rear edge portion of said first seat and adjacentsaid front edge portion of said second seat, a third shield means beingpositioned near said rear edge portion of said second seat, said secondand third shield means thereby preventing whiplash producing movement ofpersons seated in said first and second seats.
 2. The vehicle safetydevice according to claim 1 wherein said second and third shield meanscomprises: a plurality of separated flexible, yieldable, transparentelements.
 3. The vehicle safety device according to claim 1 wherein saidfirst, second and third shield means have respective upper and loweredges, said first, second and third shield means are held taut byconnections along their respective upper and lower edges, saidconnections being to the vehicle.
 4. The vehicle safety device accordingto claim 1 wherein said safety device shields are made of flexible,yieldable transparent material.
 5. The vehicle safety device accordingto claim 1 wherein mounting means are provided on at least two oppOsiteedges of at least one of said shields whereby they are held in tautshock absorbing position.
 6. The vehicle safety device according toclaim 5 wherein at least one of said mounting means comprises: a pair ofspaced brackets connected to said vehicle, first and third rods havingtheir opposite ends mounted in said brackets, a removable second rodpositioned between said first and third rods, said shield having aportion weaving around and between said first, second and third rods toprovide a secure connection.
 7. The vehicle safety device according toclaim 5 wherein at least one of said mounting means comprises: a pair ofspaced brackets connected to said vehicle, a single rod extendingbetween said brackets, said shield having a looped portion along saidedge adjacent said mounting means and said rod passing through saidlooped portion to form a secure connection.
 8. The vehicle safety deviceaccording to claim 5 wherein at least one of said mounting meanscomprises: a pair of spaced brackets connected to said vehicle, aslotted rod extending between said brackets and mounted against rotarymovement, said shield having a free edge extending into said slot sothat said shield is securely mounted to absorb impact.